Dec 19 Omicron may sideline two leading drugs against COVID-19 By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press As strained U.S. hospitals brace for a new surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the fast-spreading omicron variant, doctors are warning of yet another challenge: the two standard drugs they’ve used to fight infections are unlikely to work against the… Continue reading
Aug 12 Watch 3:24 She started an underground clean needle exchange and changed lives Syringe exchange and harm reduction programs don’t just hand out clean needles, they can provide a safe place for drug users to find care and a path to treatment, says Jamie Favaro of Next Harm Reduction. From handing out needles… Continue watching
Aug 11 WATCH: WHO to test three existing drugs for use with COVID By Associated Press The World Health Organization said Wednesday it will soon begin testing three drugs currently used for other diseases to see if they might help patients suffering from the coronavirus. Continue reading
Nov 04 Oregon leads the way in decriminalizing hard drugs By Andrew Selsky, Associated Press In a first in the nation, Oregon has rejected charging drug users with criminal offenses, with voters passing a ballot measure that decriminalizes possession of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other hard drugs. Continue reading
Jul 13 Activists seek to decriminalize 'magic' mushrooms in D.C. By Ashraf Khalil, Associated Press Despite pandemic conditions that made normal signature-gathering almost impossible, activists in Washington, D.C., say they have enough signatures for a November ballot initiative that would decriminalize natural psychedelics such as certain mushrooms. Continue reading
Jul 18 Thousands of Philippine police punished for their role in deadly drug raids By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A total of 2,367 police officers have been fired, 4,100 suspended while the rest were reprimanded, demoted, had their salaries forfeited or deprived of certain privileges. Continue reading
Jun 21 Federal officials seize 35,000 pounds of cocaine at Philadelphia port By Associated Press Federal authorities said the seizure, which they value at $1.1 billion, is the largest cocaine haul in the history of U.S. Customs. Continue reading
Feb 12 After El Chapo conviction, Sinaloa drug cartel carries on By Maria Verza, Mark Stevenson, Associated Press Heaping bags of fentanyl and plastic tubs of crystal meth, heroin and cocaine offer no sign that the cartel has been weakened, lost sway over its traditional territory in northwestern Mexico or seen its international reach curtailed. Continue reading
Sep 29 The end of HIV transmission in the U.S.: A once-unthinkable dream becomes an openly discussed goal By Helen Branswell, STAT The struggle against HIV may be undergoing a sea change. Continue reading
Jun 16 Have you found prescriptions cost less if you don't use your insurance? Tell us your story. By Megan Thompson The PBS NewsHour Weekend reporting team is gathering stories about the high cost of prescription drugs and patients’ experiences at the pharmacy. Continue reading